Bees Feeling Effects of California Drought

The drought has left honey bees without their normal supply of wildflowers to feed on. Beekeepers have supplemented their diet, but that lacks nutrition to keep hives healthy. CapRadio's Amy Quinton tags along with a local beekeeper to learn more.

During this drought, California hillsides normally covered with wildflowers have been bare, forcing beekeepers to supplement the bees’ natural diet.

Eric Mussen is an Extension Apiculturist with UC Davis.

“The problem we have there, are that the supplemental feeds, the best ones we’ve been able to manufacture, do no match the nutrients that are in a good blend of pollen," says Mussen. "So they’re malnourished.”

A few years ago, Orin Johnson was producing 100 to 120 pounds of honey per colony. Now he averages about 40 pounds. Strong hives are also important for almond crop pollination, which is where Johnson and other beekeepers get much of their income.

He takes me out to an orchard where he’s making sure there are plenty of bees actively pollinating. I agreed to come along, after thoroughly explaining my fear. Luckily, Johnson brought out the protective bee suit.

Johnson and his partner open the hive and inspect the frames. More bees on more frames are a sign of a healthy colony. I get up close, reluctantly and perhaps naively as the bees immediately attack my microphone.

“It likes the microphone," I say.

"It’s the color. They don’t like dark colors." says Johnson as he reaches to grab the bee out of my microphone's wind screen.

"You’re reaching your hand on the bee," I say as I become slightly squeamish.

"He doesn’t wear gloves," says Jey Rolon, Johnson's business partner.

"You even have one on you," says Johnson, pointing to the bee. "How do you like that?" asks Johnson.

Audio Extra: Amy's Apiphobia

Johnson is one of just 1,500 commercial beekeepers in California. Their numbers are decreasing.

The more beekeepers have to feed the bees, the more expensive it is to maintain the bees and the worse it is for the bees’ health. Apiculturist Eric Mussen worries what may happen when almond pollination ends.

“Temporarily they’re getting some food, but they didn’t get very much before they went into almonds," says Mussen. "This time, when they come out of almonds there’s going to be practically nothing for them to eat.”

Mussen says more bees are likely to die and some beekeepers may just give up.